ephant," said Mr. Bobbsey. "One of the big beasts
would make more noise than that. It may be one of the monkeys--I don't
see how they could catch them all--they were so lively and full of
mischief."

"Oh, if it's a monkey, may we keep it?" begged Flossie. "I just love a
monkey."

"Mercy, child! What would we do with it around the house?" cried Mrs.
Bobbsey. "Richard, can you see what it is?"

Mr. Bobbsey peered down the road.

"I can see something," he said. "It's coming nearer."

"Oh dear!" cried Nan, trembling with fear.

Just then a bark sounded--a friendly bark.

"It's a dog!" said Mrs. Bobbsey. "Oh, I'm so glad it wasn't an
elephant," and she hugged Freddie and Flossie.

"Pooh! I wasn't afraid!" cried Freddie. "If it had been an elephant
I--I'd give him a cookie, and maybe he'd let me ride home on his back."

The animal barked louder now, and a moment later he came into sight on
a moonlit part of the path. The children could see that it was a big,
shaggy white dog, who wagged his tail in greeting as he walked up to
them.

"Oh, what a lovely dog!" cried Nan. "I wonder where he belongs?"

The fine animal came on. Bert snapped his fingers, boy-fashion.

Instantly the dog stood up on his hind legs and began marching about in
a circle on the path.

"Oh, what a queer dog!" cried Flossie. "Oh I wish he was ours!"

CHAPTER IV

HOME IN AN AUTO

DOWN on his four legs dropped the big white dog, and with another wag
of his fluffy tail he came straight for Flossie.

"Be careful!" warned Mamma Bobbsey.

"He won't hurt her!" declared Bert. "That's a good dog, anyone can
tell that. Here, doggie; come here!" he called.

But the dog still advanced toward Flossie, who shrank back a bit
timidly.

"You never can tell what dogs will do," said Mrs. Bobbsey. "It is best
to be careful."

"I guess he knew what Flossie said to him," spoke up Freddie. "He
knows we like dogs."

The dog barked a little, and, coming up to where Flossie was, again
stood on his hind legs.

"That's a queer trick," said Mr. Bobbsey. "I guess this dog has been
trained. He probably belongs around here."

"I wish he belonged to us," sighed Nan. Like Flossie and Freddie she,
too, loved animals.

"Maybe we can keep him if we don't find Snoop?" suggested Freddie.
"Oh, papa, will you get Snoop back?" and Freddie's voice sounded as
though he was going to cry.

"Yes, yes, of course I will," said Mr. Bobbsey quickly.